Watch out for Sturgis

Sturgis is a big deal in the motorcycle world.

It's an annual event that I've often wanted to attend, but it's a long way from San Antonio, Texas.  Not that that would stop a "real" biker.  Nevertheless, I've ridden on trips farther away than that from San Antonio.  Anyway...

Yeah, I ride a Harley.  Yeah, I'm a Democrat.  Yeah, I'm for Obama.

But I must say this, as bad as it may sound...McCain may be onto something in going to Sturgis.  It's going to help him with the bubbas.  That's my prediction.  We'll see.

I only wish Obama had thought of doing Sturgis.  However, as I recall, he was made fun of for simply riding a bicycle.  Please don't jump me for saying that.  I'm for Obama, for crying out loud!  I also eat arugula.

Here's a link to the Suturgis story...

http://news.yahoo.com/...

•  McCain is going to show up in his golf cart.

  by Yoshimi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:16:17 PM PDT

  •  Lol. Yeah, McCain will probably figure out some

    way to "blow it".  Like the deal in the supermarket where items fell off the shelf.

    I'll bet he won't drive his golf cart too far to get to Sturgis.

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:25:56 PM PDT

    •  If he rolls into town with his bitch on the back.

      ...wearing her thong and halter top, and proceeds to do a burnout in the middle of main street before sauntering into the saloon to inhale a bottle of Jack Daniels, he'll make an impression.

      Otherwise, ....not.

      by suspiciousmind on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:42:54 PM PDT

      •  Mwahahahaha!!!

        I can picture it.  It is too bad he can't reach up to grip the handlebar.  

        by Yoshimi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:47:04 PM PDT

      •  My thought exactly. The visuals!

        McCain's picture interlaced with fringed leather tube tops is going to make quite the impression on middle America.

        by chrississippi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:48:30 PM PDT

      •  Yes. Yes. McCain absolutely has to "inhale"

        a bottle of Jack Daniels to get the political effect!

        BTW, I drink Jack Daniels.

        by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:08:29 PM PDT

  •  Does Ferragamo make motorcycle boots?? n/t

    by bobdevo on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:49:26 PM PDT

•  What is McCain's stand on NAFTA

  and Japanese imports? :)

  by Yoshimi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:17:50 PM PDT

•  Obama and Sturgis are not the best mix....

  I think this will be a flop for McCain.  He will be preaching to the choir for the most part.  Very similar to Obama going to black churches, the difference being that McCain will not take this opportunity to address some of the improvements that could be made in his own community.  

  He will spend a decent amount of time attacking Obama in front of a crowd in which the vast majority will vote for McCain.  He will talk about Vets issues as well and we wont see much in the way of new information.  

  When you are speaking to your base it is best to say something that will appeal to the other side.  

  by mim5677 on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:18:43 PM PDT

  •  And it could backfire in ways he doesn't

    anticipate.

    Might class with family values.

    Might make him look REALLY old - and out of it.

    Who knows?

    by Vicky on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:20:24 PM PDT

    •  That was my thought, that it would make

      McCain look really old.  Why is he showing up at Sturgis, for crying out loud?  Does he have a Harley?

      I suppose by this measure Obama should have shown up at Lollapalooza.  But that would have been viewed as nothing but a cheap publicity stunt by the Repugs and the media.  Wonder whether the media will view McCain's Sturgis appearance in that light . . . (kidding, because they won't, even though they should)

      by flahawkfan on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:25:57 PM PDT

      •  Not any older than some of the guys who attend.

        McCain look really old

        by Yoshimi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:43:53 PM PDT

        •  Yeah, but I've known a few 72-year-old bikers

          and they have a certain rakish charm that's hard to beat.  There's a lot of character in a face that's been in the wind for 50+ years, and that contrasts pretty sharply with McCain's doughy visage.  You look at those guys and say, yeah... he's still got it going on; you look at McCain in contrast with them and he's gonna make Bob Dole is gonna look virile by comparison.

          by lineatus on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:25:43 PM PDT

          •  The contrast is jarring

            Obama in Michigan speaking about his vision for national security vs McCain at a rally for...Hogs and burnouts.
             He's right at home with a bunch of...nevermind, as an aging libertine biker myselfI shouldn't be ragging on my bros.

            by KenBee on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:40:40 PM PDT

            •  It's back to who do you want to have a beer with?

              I think they're trying to push that whole angle again and what better way than to toss McCain in with a bunch of people who probably like to drink beer.  (Although the values crowd may not dig it that they're doing it for breakfast.)

              There are a lot of people I'd like to have a beer with, and I even think some of them are pretty smart - but I wouldn't necessarily want them running the country.  (Besides, I'd love to have a beer with Obama - I bet he can keep a lively conversation going.)

              by lineatus on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:56:50 PM PDT

    •  Tommy Thompson always made the pilgrimage

      to Sturgis, with 50 or so Wisconsin riders. Worked well for him. I imagine he sold Team McCain on the idea.

      by ben masel on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 03:37:18 PM PDT

  •  Ft. Meade VA Hospital in near Sturgis.

    Will McCain go there to "support" veterans?  Or just ignore them, again?

    by Dar Nirron on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:16:04 PM PDT

•  I'd love to watch McCain's handlers

  try to keep him away from any possible family-unfriendly (or just plaion stupid) photo ops.  I'm hoping that this venue might give McCain his Dukakis-in-a-tank moment.

  Question:  will be wear his Ferragamos?

  Also:  what the heck is arugula, anyway?

  by beagledad on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:21:01 PM PDT

  •  Arugula is something my girlfriends make me eat

    I think its like lettuce or something. Every girlfriend I've had has put it in a salad at one time or another.

    by Larry Madill on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:26:01 PM PDT

    •  My wife made me eat it too. But I still

      ride a Harley.

      Arugula and Harley incompatable?

      by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:36:05 PM PDT

      •  I own a Harley and an Indian. And I grow arugula.

        How's that for messing with the demographics?

        by lineatus on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:27:14 PM PDT

        •  You're messin' with my head on the arugula. n/t

          by TidBits on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:39:26 PM PDT

          •  Hell no. I got a garden full of the stuff.

            I grow it in containers and toss it on sandwiches as well as in salads.  Awesome peppery taste perks up everything around it.  I always let one or two go to seed to start the new crop.  Yum!

            by lineatus on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:46:46 PM PDT

            •  I use to piss on it late at night. My way

              to tell the other half who is BOSS.

              by 0hio on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 03:13:49 PM PDT

        •  Geebus, I knew I liked you

          but that's just nutz.
           Well, I'm strictly Brit, nobody's perfect. Of course the Indian's ciopied the Brits, but that was then, this is now.

          by KenBee on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:42:51 PM PDT

          •  Judging by my Chief, they certainly copied the

            Lucas electrics.

            by lineatus on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:47:43 PM PDT

            •  'Lucas, Prince of Darkness'

              he's got some competition these days.

              by KenBee on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:51:45 PM PDT

      •  Do you eat arugula while you ride? n/t

        by TidBits on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:31:50 PM PDT

        •  Nah, I crunch bugs flying into my teeth. n/t

          by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 03:05:07 PM PDT

  •  Ferragamo chaps.

    All the yuppie bikers wear them.

    by Yoshimi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:44:39 PM PDT

  •  Hehe, could happen

    Lot's of wet t-shirt contests and "exposures" on the main street.

    by mconvente on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 03:35:47 PM PDT

•  I wanna see Cindy in leather buttless chaps.

  by David Kroning on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:25:41 PM PDT

  •  Does Cindy have a butt? n/t

    by flahawkfan on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:28:11 PM PDT

    •  The best one you can buy, I imagine...

      she might need one of those Barack tire guages.

      by David Kroning on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:31:31 PM PDT

    •  You guys are...BAD. lol n/t

      by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:31:54 PM PDT

  •  Actually, I don't think you want to see that.

    Eye bleach is getting fucking expensive these days.

    by lineatus on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:28:05 PM PDT

•  Don't worry too much...

  My parents actually live in Sturgis, and I grew up there.  I went back recently to visit them and the "Buffalo Chip" event billboards were all over the place.  McCain was getting fifth billing behind Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler, ZZ Top, and some other band I've never heard of.  It literally said, in very tiny letters on the very bottom of the billboards, "plus a tribute to the troops with Senator John McCain."  They're not thinking too much about politics at the Buffalo Chip.

  by Last Call on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:25:50 PM PDT

  •  True, but what about the rest of the country?

    What will be the impression?

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:27:35 PM PDT

    •  Poser, like this guy

      Even bikers will see the pandering for what it is.

      

      by Scarce on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:59:20 PM PDT

      •  Now that's pandering if I ever saw it.

        How will McCain compare?

        Thanks for the photo.

        by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:14:47 PM PDT

      •  What? Most bikers don't wear dress shirts

        underneath their leather vests?  Really?

        Please please please please let McCain take a picture like this.

        The only thing I'll give McCain is that he can legitimately wear the POW/MIA patch.  It's fucking repulsive seeing it on Mr. AWOL.

        by lineatus on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:34:17 PM PDT

•  You have got to be kidding....

  ...HD bikers are republicans!?!?

  by just us on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:26:47 PM PDT

  •  Wouldn't surprise me a bit.

    I ride a BMW.  Mostly Republicans in that crowd, too.

    by beemerr90s on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:28:36 PM PDT

    •  BMW is not the brand for Sturgis . . .

      by chrississippi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:50:02 PM PDT

      •  Not for Daytona, either.

        I live about 45 minutes south of Daytona.  Most of the Harley guys have respect for beemer's, though, especially old ones like mine.  The jap bikes get the brunt of the scorn.

        by beemerr90s on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:25:56 PM PDT

  •  I ride a Harley and I'm definitely a Democrat.

    Republicans don't know what a Harley is, except as it relates to their stock portfolios.

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:29:45 PM PDT

•  I can't wait to see Jon Stewart's coverage

  of this stunt.

  by flahawkfan on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:29:10 PM PDT

  •  What about Jay Leno? He's a Harley guy. n/t

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:42:28 PM PDT

•  Will McCain show off his $520 Ferragamo loafers?

  by joemcginnissjr on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:29:39 PM PDT

  •  I was just going to hit POST when I saw that.

    McCain housing policy shaped by lobbyist

    by Nonconformist on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:39:57 PM PDT

•  ummm I ride a cannondale :) n/t

  by ballerina X on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:32:04 PM PDT

  •  Good for you! n/t

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:45:30 PM PDT

•  McCain in a suit and tie or faded colors-

  "Hell's Angels" Arizona. Is that a maverick or an outlaw?  Standing in a suit in front of a thousand bikers. "Beer is now shut off (boo Boo!)

  OK, InBev will give you guys all sorts of imported choices,Just what you American bikers want,More Imports! (Boo Boo!)

  Cindy!! Where's the free beer? Yay! Yay!.

  beer and circuses.  How very Presidential.

  Classy act John,in touch with your party roots

  Party Party! Tailhook Where are the strippers at?

  They are right in front of you!

  A classic U Tube moment or two or three coming up.

  by Pete Rock on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:41:58 PM PDT

  •  "Hell's Angels" Arizona?

    I'm a retired dentist and I was asked by one of the Hell's Angels who drifted through town (Abilene, Texas at that time) to make a crown on his front tooth with a big number "1" on the front.

    I showed him the door.  But I'll never forget that.

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:51:43 PM PDT

•  Oh, I want to see THIS - see link - with McCain

  Check out Pandagon today for the video of an apparently regular and popular "contest" at Sturgis - I'd LOVE to see some footage of this on the news alongside McCain.

  http://pandagon.net/

  by geordie on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:44:23 PM PDT

  •  Yeah, especially McCain showed next to the

    girl eating the banana!

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:57:10 PM PDT

  •  freakin awesome

    get Cindy and McCain on the floor, doing the ..what are you kids calling it now?

    by KenBee on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:50:17 PM PDT

•  He was already getting the Bubba/Aryan Nation

  vote.

  Yeah, yeah, I know everybody who rides a Harley isn't a violent thug . . . but

  Question:  Why would anybody want a Harley when there are so many GOOD cycles being built?

  Just askin' . . .

  by bobdevo on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:48:53 PM PDT

  •  Harley refuses to offshore manufacturing

    just sayin'

    by Tomsank on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:00:59 PM PDT

    •  Harley doesn't want to be known as

      producing a "rice burner".

      Good for them!

      by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:04:49 PM PDT

      •  Ahhh, as an old Ohio construction worker, I

        discovered early on that one doesn't need a bike if one has a big dick.

        by 0hio on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 03:21:02 PM PDT

•  Actually, to give credit where credit is due,

  it's probably a smart move on McCain's part. Big veterans (Rolling Thunder) crowd, and a bike that symbolizes 'Made in America'.

  Hopefully he'll find a way to blow it but, otherwise, just let it go. Obama would risk a Dukakis in the tank moment if he tried to pull this one off.

  by Tomsank on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:08:22 PM PDT

  •  Yep. Definitely a risk for Obama. It's got to

    be real, or it won't work. You're right.

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:12:19 PM PDT

    •  Yeah right

      And McCain's a real biker. Uhhuh. Yeah.

      by sullivanst on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:14:58 PM PDT

      •  Actually, in spirit, yeah, in a weird way.

        I just hope that the KO and Jon Stewarts don't make to much of this and it just goes unnoticed. His "family values" crowd might not appreciate quite so much, but nobody's worried about them voting Dem, anyway. Not that one can't hope...

        And this election really is about hope-mongering

        by Tomsank on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:18:52 PM PDT

        •  I'm hoping

          for plenty of mud-wrestling and half- or full-naked shots, tastefully done, of course.

          by sullivanst on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:27:17 PM PDT

      •  Lol. So it gets down to which candidate

        is the best biker?

        McCain seems to think he is.

        So far Obama hasn't weighed in.

        We'll see how this plays out.

        by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:19:39 PM PDT

        •  At least Obama

          regularly uses two-wheeled vehicles.

          We know McCain's wife much prefers small private plane.

          Which reminds me... I wonder how the "made in America" crowd feels about McCain's involvement with Boeing losing the refueller contract to EADS.

          by sullivanst on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:26:31 PM PDT

          •  They got a do-over on that one n/t

            by Tomsank on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:47:19 PM PDT

            •  That one slipped by quietly

              If it was Obama who'd been actively and aggressively lobbying for the Europeans, there's no way the do-over would've passed without extensive comment about his lobbying to take business away from an American company.

              by sullivanst on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 04:23:16 PM PDT

  •  yeah, but do those vets know his voting record

    on the things important to vets?

    I'm not sure McCain will be as widely received in this group as others here seem to think.  There are still a lot of DFHs riding Harleys.

    I am an Edwards Democrat!

    by Scubaval on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 06:30:56 PM PDT

•  Wonder if any of the female crowdmembers

  will be dragged forcibly away by their boyfriends/husbands for stripping during McCain's speech...

  by sullivanst on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:14:16 PM PDT

•  If Cindy brought a truckload of BUD...

  it would be a free for all that would sink Sturgis forever.
  Since Johnny-surge-one-note bears no resemblance to bikers or their life-style, surely they will know he is using this as a photo op...any speech will be contrived as usual, probably mostly bashing as that seems to be all he can muster.

  by rylly on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:40:15 PM PDT

  •  Imagine an Obama ad with Cindy pulling up on a

    Harley with a motorcycle trailer full of Bud...in color.

    Then flip to McCain in black-and-white flashing his silly grin.

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:48:04 PM PDT

•  Earlier diary

  I posted a diary on this earlier.

  Probably much too early, I guess.

  Take a look.

  by DerAmi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:44:07 PM PDT

  •  I did a search for "Sturgis" before I

    did my diary and I didn't find anything.

    I didn't mean to step on your diary.

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:51:29 PM PDT

    •  No problem.

      Two others showed up on search, but they were from a few days ago.

      I think it is a funny story so I want the other thread. No time to repeat myself... It is late in this time zone here; past my bedtime actually.

      by DerAmi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:59:00 PM PDT

      •  Thanks. n/t

        by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 04:45:27 PM PDT

    •  I can't wait to see the results.

      I think this is going to be a lot of laughs! I can watch Colbert, Stewart, Olberman, etc. here in Europe and I'm looking forward to this.

      How can the neo-cons and the evangelicals not be upset with this?

      by DerAmi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 03:31:48 PM PDT

      •  You are able to watch more than me. So

        please keep me informed.  

        Thanks.

        by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 04:46:55 PM PDT

•  obama couldn't get away with going to sturgis

  like mccain can. if obama went all of a sudden people would play up the mud wrestling and bikini contests happening all around. look at the events mccain was sandwhiched between, no way you could sub obama's name in and people wouldn't spin it as some giant example of how he's a sexist pig, etc.

  by moja31 on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:49:55 PM PDT

  •  bikini contests or not, Obama will be

    blasted for whatever he does or doesn't do vis 'a vis Sturgis.

    We must remember, McCain is the one venturing into the Sturgis thing.  What will come of it?

    I'm having a hard time imagining how McCain can profit from rolling up in his "golf cart", as one poster said, and coming out on top of this potential story.  

    by doc superdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:58:57 PM PDT

•  WARNING

  From here

  Special note to Barack Obama and the Obama Campaign. Please do not discuss this event. When asked just respond with "We have no comment concerning McCain's choice of campaign venues." The McCain campaign will do all the damage themselves and any negative remarks by the Obama Campaign will only backfire.

  by DerAmi on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 03:06:57 PM PDT

•  Sturgis will backfire on McCain big time

  Just because they ride Harleys doesn't make them stupid- there's LOTS of bikers who are pissed about the last eight years, pissed about the war, and they know McCain is no hero of theirs.  Lots of these folks are independent minded, not all of them are cavemen.  

  I'd love to see photos of McCain surrounded by some of the scantily-clad, leather-thong-wearing, half drunken women, especially if they resemble Cindy.  I'd just like to see Cindy's expression when these women pose with him.  

  by mamabigdog on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 03:29:45 PM PDT

  •  I support the bikers.

    I, for one, do not intend to belittle the people who attend the rally. I do, however, believe that the activities that happen there are in stark contrast to the neo-conservative and evangelical versions of "family values."

    by DerAmi on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 02:56:47 AM PDT

•  My dad's there right now

  Been a biker for ages (he's 52 right now).  Used to haul bikes there himself with his own auto transport business.  This will be his 5th time there.

  With South Dakota close (though less than North Dakota and Montana) a visit from McCain could reenergize Republicans in the state.  Yes, most of the people at Sturgis are not from South Dakota, but still, a few ten thousand people energized and that's a big swing in those Mountain West states.

  To put the Sturgis motorcycle rally into perspective, the population of South Dakota doubles during rally week; over 500,000 bikers will be there.

  And let me tell you, a lot of them are veterans or blue-collar workers who commonly vote Republican (or at least the military candidate).

  Interesting to see future polls in Montana, ND, and SD and see if there are any effects.

  by mconvente on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 03:34:10 PM PDT

•  I don't know that it'll make much

  difference, but it couldn't be worse than the green screen or the Fudge Haus. Unless he tips somebody's bike over.

  by jck on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 04:08:58 PM PDT

•  Obama at Sturgis....

  would have been like Dukakis in a tank.  No chance that Obama's team would let him anywhere near that event.  it would have been a disaster.  

  by AdamSmithsInvisibleFinger on Thu Aug 07, 2008 at 07:10:33 PM PDT

  •  Well, I know what you are saying. However,

    Sturgis is a popular American event.  It seems to me that Obama, or any presidential candidate, should be able to figure out a way to be there and enjoy the fun without looking like a fool.

    Having said that, it is hard for me to picture Obama going there and making it to his advantage.

    by doc superdog on Fri Aug 08, 2008 at 12:13:12 AM PDT